‘We deserve to be here’ — Quinn Ewers shows incredible confidence in Longhorns’ College Football Playoff run

Quinn Ewers typically keeps a modest profile when talking with reporters. But sometimes, he’ll pull the curtain back to reveal his hyper-competitive nature.

Ewers threw for 202 yards and one touchdown in Texas’ 38-24 win over Clemson in the College Football Playoffs. Afterward, Ewers was asked what kind of message he’d tell the team about the win.

“You know, this is who we are,” Ewers said. “We deserve to be here. We have every right to be right where we are and just continue to be present each and every day. Saturday or January 1 will come soon enough.”

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While the Texas running game got all the headlines, Ewers had another strong performance against the Tigers. And coach Steve Sarkisian praised the quarterback’s decision making in addition to his throws.

On both of Jaydon Blue’s long touchdown runs, Ewers checked out of one play and audibled for the run. Both resulted in touchdowns, one for 38 yards and another for 77.

“It’s a great feeling, anytime you're able to get the offense into the correct play call for certain looks,” Ewers said. “I think it's just a testament to the coaches giving us those looks in practice and it being kind of easy to see and easy to be able to check.”

Sarkisian did use backup Arch Manning inside the Tigers’ 20-yard line, as many expected he would. Manning had three carries for no yards. By this point, teams are well aware that Manning is going to run a quarterback keeper whenever he’s in the game.

Hopefully, Sarkisian is merely laying the groundwork for a special pass out of Manning’s quarterback runs, but alas we digress.

Ewers continued to get the bulk of the playing time, as many suspected he would. That’s not going to change in the Peach Bowl against Arizona State, either.

Ewers is the team’s undisputed leader. He’s the one who is motivated by last season’s close call against Washington in the CFP, and Ewers craves another shot at the national title.

“Yeah, I think it motivates the entire team,” Ewers said. “Us being so close last year, a couple plays away from going to the national championship, and then who knows what happens. But you can't live in that dream. We just try to go 1-0 each and every day, each and every week, and then see where that gets us.”